Gates has new belt for Ford hybrid system

July 17, 2015

Gates Corp. has developed an accessory component kit containing the replacement belt, tensioner and pulleys for the Ford E-450 Azure Hybrid Drive System. 

Azure Dynamics Corp., in partnership with the Ford Motor Company, produced a hybrid drive system that required a special dual-sided serpentine replacement belt.  Azure filed for bankruptcy in 2012. Gates says companies that have the Ford E-450 with the Azure Hybrid Drive System in their fleets have struggled with finding replacement parts for the accessory drive system and are facing economic losses when fleet vehicles are out of commission. 

FedEx was one of the companies struggling to find replacement parts for their Ford E-450 fleet vehicles and contacted the Gates.  “Gates worked with us to recreate this very unique belt … and much to our surprise, they even supplied us with pulleys and tensioners.  We now have several units on the road with this belt and tensioner kit,” says Marcello D’Aureli, FedEx Master ASE certified senior vehicle technician. 

Gates says its engineers provided a solution to get these vehicles back in service by creating a market exclusive accessory drive system replacement parts kit.

“At Gates, we take the voice of our customers seriously and our engineers are constantly creating solutions to difficult problems. We take pride in the latest addition to our Solution Kit product portfolio,” says Jason Davis, product marketing manager.

Headquartered in Denver, Colo., Gates employs over 14,000 people across 106 locations in 30 countries.

For more information about Gates automotive aftermarket products, visit www.gates.com.